I have unfortunately been busy these past few weeks trying to find a normal schedule, which is just now starting to solidify. Crazy stuff here, really. But here are some collected thoughts about where I am and what I’m doing.
My last post was about the M-Audio sale that Woot.com was having. I ended up buying a third midi controller (a KeyStudio 49), which I need to set up semi-permanently. Finding the space is the hardest part so far.
The most noticeable change from undergrad to graduate composing is that my mentor has changed from one frame of reference to another. As an undergraduate, my mentor’s primary role was to show me things I had done wrong, make new suggestions, and in some ways really explain how to do something or why to do something. Now that I’m in graduate school, I’m (gulp) considered a professional composer. While that may be true, it took a while to get used to. My mentor’s role now is more along the lines of editor. My past several composition lessons have consisted of going through several of my old pieces, pointing out things I could have done differently. It’s kind of a different world. It has really forced me to become self-critical. As far as realizing that I am a professional composer with a degree and everything, I have no idea when that happened.
Our last two composers forums here have focused on becoming self-published. With the Internet, becoming your own company is fairly simple, but still requires quite a bit of work. I’ll be sure to fill you in as this progresses.
Furthermore, grad school has really become a great place to meet other composers and form professional relationships. I’d like to write more on that subject later as well.
Also, Part III in searching for grad programs in composition comes out Monday!
